Successfully improving the specialized transportation system in the Pikes Peak region hinges on strong and effective partnerships. Government guidelines and foundation directives underscore this need for collaboration. No single entity can achieve a better system in isolation.
Therefore, it is imperative that agencies and organizations organize open communication and transparency with one another. Investing in continuous and open dialogue will help strengthen partnerships and facilitate understanding when tough decisions arise.
The Specialized Transportation Plan is not simply a mechanism to secure a stream of federal dollars. It shines a light on important community needs, informing the people of the Pikes Peak region about their transportation options and advocating for increased access to opportunities. As the City of Colorado Springs plans to scale up its transit system to meet the needs of as many riders as possible, the specialized transportation system plays the critical role of connecting those who may remain underserved – rural areas, places lacking transit access, and the numerous individuals who do not or cannot drive for a variety of reasons and constraints. Without specialized transportation, there would be fewer lives being lived independently in the Pikes Peak region, less dollars being spent locally, and more missed medical appointments.
In five years, another plan will succeed this one. In the meantime, the call to action is clear. There are at least five recommendations in this document that people should be acting upon:
- Incrementally develop an OC/OC center.
- Coordinate with providers to help secure funding for right-sized, shared, and well-maintained vehicles that meet ridership needs.
- Commission mobility services under improved standards of service.
- Create a program to reimburse people for Uber, Lyft, and taxi rides in situations where there is a critical unmet transportation need based on the time and location of the trip.
- Consolidate all resources and explore training options for drivers.
If steps are not taken to address these recommendations, the next plan will lament the lack of progress. The responsibility to further the enduring objective of serving the full region now rests on the organizations dedicated to that mission, paired with the partnerships that are forged and nurtured along the way.